A shocking case of child cruelty has surfaced from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district, where a father paraded his 8-month-old son upside down through the streets of his village. This was allegedly to pressure his wife’s family for a dowry. The disturbing video of the incident, which took place on July 19, went viral on social media, prompting widespread condemnation.
Dowry Demands Behind the Cruel Act
The accused, identified as Sanju, reportedly carried out the act following a heated argument with his wife, Suman. The couple, married in November 2023, had been embroiled in ongoing disputes over dowry. According to Suman, Sanju and his family repeatedly demanded ₹2 lakh in cash and a new car, leading to frequent violence and abuse.
According to locals, Sanju repeatedly demanded money and a car from his wife.“My marriage happened in 2023. When I went there, they beat me, my brother-in-law, elder brother-in-law, everyone. They told me, ‘Bring Rs 2 lakh and a car.’ They beat me up over this every time,” said the victim, Suman.
During a family meeting between both sides on July 19 around 1 PM, Sanju allegedly snatched the baby from Suman’s lap and began swinging him in the air by his legs, parading him through the village like a spinning top. The child reportedly cried out in distress as villagers looked on, some even filming the incident. The boy sustained a dislocated hip and is currently undergoing treatment.
Wife Seeks Justice
Speaking to the media, Suman detailed years of abuse and financial pressure from her in-laws. “They beat me and demanded money. I don’t have anything, how can I give them ₹2 lakh and a car?” she said. She also alleged that police initially failed to act on her complaints. “The police are not listening to me. I want all his family members jailed,” she added.
Milak Khanam Station In-Charge Nisha Khatana confirmed that legal action has been initiated against Sanju under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (for disturbing public peace). The case has also been referred to a counselling centre. Authorities have assured that further investigation is ongoing.
She continued, “I have a small child, just 8 months old, and no one is listening to me. Now I want to move ahead. They asked for a dowry, and now they have paraded my child all over the village, hanging him upside down. Ask anyone in the village, they’ve all seen the video. He was telling people, ‘Make videos.’ He kept saying, ‘Give me money.’ I don’t have any money, where will I bring it from? Then he started beating me and hanging the child. He went around the village four times. The child is now sick, his hip joint is dislocated. We’re getting him treated. I am poor, what can I do? The police are not listening to me. I want all his family members jailed.”
Villagers Stand By as Child Suffers
Eyewitnesses reported that Sanju roamed the village with the child for nearly half an hour, ignoring the baby’s screams. When villagers tried to intervene, he threatened them by swinging the child even more violently. Eventually, family members managed to retrieve the child, but the damage was already done.
The incident has once again highlighted the harsh realities of dowry harassment and the need for stronger enforcement of child protection laws. Milak Khanam Station In-Charge Nisha Khatana confirmed, “Action has been taken against Sanju under Section 151 and the matter was also referred to the counselling centre.”
In addition, SP Rampur, Vidyasagar Mishra, urged the public not to involve or harm children during marital disputes, adding, “Legal action has been taken against the father, and we are closely monitoring the case.”
